I think that Ada is in the swing of a major routine change lately. What had been a fairly predictable schedule was completely thrown off by first teeth, never to return again. I’m trying so hard to listen to her and the new routine that she wants, but I’m having a difficult time figuring it out. Long naps have turned into cat naps, solid nursing sessions turn into several “drive through” snacks.
We’re also feeling out an earlier bedtime. For a long while, Ada would fall asleep somewhere between 8:30 and 9…always “parented” to sleep (rocking, snuggling, nursing, singing). Lately she’s been getting tired earlier in the evening, too late really for a nap and seemingly too early for bed.
I feel sort of held hostage by this unpredictability. And as any parent knows, you start driving yourself crazy wondering how long this will last and if you will ever be able to take a shower again. (I also wonder if we’ll ever want another child.)
I’ve become obsessed with figuring out what’s “normal” (turns out nothing is…no baby is the same), wondering if I should babywear her on my back all day long (I so would lose my sanity), and staring at her baby monitor all nap long (not very productive).
Lucky for Ada, she’s pretty darn cute. It’s funny how all the frustration gets immediately erased by a smile, giggle, or newly developed skill. Some of my favorite moments as of late are spent sitting at the table with her while she chats through her lunch or dinner (more on our babyled weaning efforts later).
She really is coming into her own and we will just have to slog through this unpredictability together.
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